George Lindsey, Goober Pyle on ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ Dies at 83

George Lindsey, the actor who played Goober Pyle on the famed “The Andy Griffith Show” died early Sunday morning. Lindsey, 83, died at a healthcare center in Nashville after a brief illness, said his manager and booking agent, Carrie Moore-Reed. “George Lindsey was my friend,” Andy Griffith said in a statement. “I had great respect for his talent and his human spirit. I am happy to say that as we found ourselves in our 80s, we were not afraid to say, ‘I love you.’ That was the last thing George and I had to say to each other. ‘I love you.’ ”

“The Andy Griffith Show” was in its fourth season in 1964 when Lindsey first appeared as the cousin of gas station attendant Gomer Pyle. The 60s situational comedy itself never won awards during its eight-season run but was widely popular and led to Emmy Awards for two of its stars, Don Knotts and Frances Bavier. –danielle canada